PARKSVILLE — Following a wild game with multiple plot twists, the Oceanside Generals squeaked by the Saanich Predators 3-2 in overtime Wednesday night in Parksville.
Oceanside has a 3-2 series lead over the persistent Predators, with game six slated for Friday night in Saanich.
Miles Carson scored his fifth of the playoffs at the 1:52 mark of the first overtime session to lift the hosts to victory in front of 1,124 fans at Oceanside Place.
“We’ve got all of the confidence, we’ve got the motivation going in. I think they’re deflated so if we can jump on them in the first (period) next game I think we’ve got them,” Carson told reporters post-game.
He finished off a play orchestrated by standout defenceman Brady Van Herk, who made a determined rush into Saanich territory down the right wing and in behind the net until support from his teammates arrived.
Van Herk shook off a pair of opponents before shoveling the puck to the slot.
“I was just trying to get it deep, then I got it back down low and I just put in on net and thankfully Miles drove the back door and just tapped it in,” Van Herk said.
Miles Carson and Brady Van Herk have been instrumental to the Generals’ success during its playoff drive. (Gus Galloway Photography)With Oceanside leading 2-1, the third period got off to a stunning start.
Predators’ defenceman Marko Tokic scored with a neutral zone wrist shot, which cleanly beat goaltender Matthew Hutchison 32 seconds into the period.
Despite the deflating goal leaving a large Oceanside Place crowd shocked, the Generals manged to settle down and control most of the play for the remainder of the period.
Before the game was three minutes old Saanich took a 1-0 lead on a breakaway goal by Mathieu Ouellette, who was sprung free by Colten Thompson.
Following momentum generated throughout the opening frame, Oceanside dominated the second stanza, scoring a pair of goals off the sticks of Braedan Leary and Tyson Pauze.
Both teams lost key players to injury during a physical game five featuring several bone-rattling checks dished out by both teams.
Predators’ goaltender Jaden Vanderlee, won was instrumental in erasing a 2-0 series deficit, left the game with an apparent arm injury just 1:39 into the game.
He was replaced by Dryden Demelo, who stood tall making 38 saves on the 41 shots he faced.
Oceanside star defenceman Brendan Carlson appeared to be in severe discomfort in the first period and couldn’t continue for the remainder of the game.
The Generals outshot Saanich 42-18, while Oceanside generated 18 scoring chances and only gave up half a dozen.
Generals head coach Dan Lemmon was pleased with how his team responded to adversity throughout the game and series.
He said their entire team got into a solid rhythm and remained positive.
“We got guys chipping in from all of the lines, we had everyone going,” Lemmon said. “To win a championship you need production from everyone and you need guys to step up in moments and we had that tonight.”
Lemmon credited Hutchison for shaking off the early third period weak goal.
He said the reigning VIJHL Goaltender of the Year has a championship pedigree and showed it Wednesday night.
“He’s a kid who works his bag off and you don’t want to see that puck go in on him. For us to get the win I thought he made some big saves for us to get to overtime,” Lemmon said.
Oceanside went 0/1 on the powerplay, while Saanich was 0/3.
Game five was the second installment of overtime in the series, with the Predators managing a 4-3 extra session win in game three in Parksville on Sunday.
The Predators will be eligible to have defenceman Taylor Webb return for game six following a three game suspension.
It was another large crowd at Oceanside Place, where more than 1,100 fans have attended each of the three league final games in Parksville.
Game six of the Generals/Predators series for VIJHL supremacy takes place Friday, April 7 at George Pearkes Recreation Centre at 6 p.m.
Game seven, if necessary, would happen Saturday, April 8 at 7 p.m. at Oceanside Place.
The Generals are hoping to win their fourth VIJHL title in franchise history and first since 2009.
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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes
